INLNews Release
Date: Friday, Nov. 11, 2011
Time: 2:05 p.m.
#3
Response personnel reenterSodium Boiler Building
Emergency personnel continue torespond to a sodium reaction on the INL site.
Here is the new information:
Eastern Idaho Regional MedicalCenter reports that the CWI employee has been released from observation. Aftera thorough examination to check for potential injury, physicians report nophysical evidence of any injury.
CWI operations personnel andfirefighters have reentered the building to verify the condition of the processequipment and the safety of the facility.
The Idaho Cleanup Projectprocess for the treatment of sodium involves the intentional reaction of thesodium with moisture which is done in a controlled configuration as part ofnormal operations for this project.
The cause of this specificreaction is still being evaluated.
Background Information:
Employees working in this areaare involved in the demolition and dismantlement activities in support of IdahoCleanup efforts.
The Idaho Cleanup Project (ICP)involves the safe, environmental cleanup of the Idaho National Laboratory site,which has been contaminated with waste generated from World War II-eraconventional weapons testing, government-owned research and defense reactors,laboratory research, and defense missions at other U.S. Department of Energy(DOE) sites.
Information previously reported:
One Idaho Cleanup Projectemployee was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center forevaluation of burns.
Ten other employees have beenevaluated on scene by medical personnel and released.
The fire may have been caused bya sodium reaction. Right now, there is no evidence of continued reaction orfire.
The building involved is theSodium Boiler Building (766).
Employees that were working inthe building and immediate vicinity have been evacuated. All other employees inthe MFC complex have been told to remain inside the buildings.
All BEA and CWI (Idaho Cleanup)employees have been accounted for at MFC.
INL emergency responders areresponding to the incident.
The building where the incidentoccurred is owned and operated by the Idaho Cleanup Project.
State, county and tribalofficials have been notified.
This is not a radiologicalincident.
There is no risk to the public.
Please note that INL is theofficial source for event information. Any information from other sources maybe incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency JointInformation Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 FremontAve., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may haveabout this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phonenumbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
Media Information: (208)526-9206 Please do not call other INL contacts.
Public Information: (208)526-5042
Follow-up news releases will beposted on INL’s website at: http://www.inl.gov/
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